Veterans Athletic Club

Newsletter Inside this Autumn 2017 issue:

Gold Medals at Aarhus

Records fall at Battersea Park!

Snow Cup for Brian James

10,000m Best for Fiona Bishop Simon Baines Race Walking

VAC Committee Members: 2017-2018

President Vacant

Secretary (Committee Chair) Ros Tabor [email protected] Treasurer Andy Murray [email protected] Membership Secretary Peter Kennedy [email protected]

Track & Field Secretary Mike May [email protected] Cross Country & Road Secretary Dennis Williams [email protected] [email protected] Walking Secretary David Hoben [email protected] Entries Secretary Maggie Statham [email protected]

Officials Secretary Ros Tabor [email protected] Newsletter Editor/Press Officer Angela Kikugawa [email protected] Minutes Secretary Mike Mann [email protected]

Other Officers Photographer Jeremy Hemming

Team Manager for Men’s Surrey Paddy Clark [email protected] Cross Country League Team Manager for BMAF Inter-Area Nick Lauder [email protected] Matches

Auditor Graham Laylee Veterans Athletic Club was established in 1931 and is affiliated to Athletics, BMAF, South of England AA, Surrey County AA, the Race Walking Association and the South of the Thames Cross Country Association. We offer athletic competition for men and women aged 35 and over. Cross-country, road, track & field as well as race walking - there is something for everyone. Based in London with members across the South East, we can provide opportunities for you to compete with other like-minded masters/veterans.

The Winter/Spring 2018 fixture list is printed in the newsletter. Please support these events. The newsletter welcomes contributions and events always need volunteers, as well as competitors. If you want to get involved, contact any of the Committee members listed above. Letter from the Membership your membership renewal. If you do Secretary, Peter Kennedy not have access to the internet then I Message from VAC Membership will accept a cheque payable to Secretary Veterans AC for the appropriate membership fee. Please send this to Before you receive the next my home address. magazine, your VAC membership renewal will become due. Thus, this Regards is the first reminder you will get, but Peter Kennedy for all those with an email address I 14 Keere St, Lewes, BN7 1TY will also send another reminder nearer the time. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

If you renew online before 1st April VAC’s parkrun “mob match”, 17 next year, you will find that your February 2018 membership is automatically We are gathering at the South renewed until 1st April 2019. After Norwood parkrun. Come along and that date, your membership will lapse and you will need to wait for meet fellow members. Look out for me to confirm your renewal before the VAC vests. you can compete in any VAC or BMAF event. Indoor The new season starts with VAC’s The membership fee is still £18 for 3k track walk champs on 18 second claim and non-competing members but it will be £33 for first February, followed by VAC’s main claim members. The first-claim T&F champs on 25 February. Both membership fee includes £15 for fixtures are at Lee Valley. If you’ve England Athletics 2018-19 not performed on an indoor track registration, which is an increase of before, why not give it a try? It’s £1 on last year. If you are already a great fun! registered athlete for 2017-18, your registration remains in force until 30 June 2018 and thus you do not need What’s in the newsletter? to be concerned that your registration will lapse if our Marathon Page 7 Road Running Page 11 payment of the new registration Obituaries Page 17 takes a few weeks. Cross Country Page 18 Track and Field Page 19 I would urge you to log into your Race Walking Page 24 OpenTrack account in order to pay Parkrun Page 27

Editor Angela Kikugawa Writes hear that new VAC member Jon Cross has a place and when he completes it Some of you will know that I moved he will have achieved the marathon to Japan earlier this year. Myself and majors. For those of you who don’t my husband retired last year and know this is completion of Boston, decided to move out here for a few New York, Berlin, London, Tokyo years. Before heading off I enjoyed and Chicago marathons. To date, Jon my spare time by taking on the Heb 3 who is a V60, has completed the five challenge, something that had been on in under three hours, his latest being my list for some years but that I never New York on Sunday 5th November. had time to do. It’s a series of five half marathons in the Hebrides and to Well done Jon on your super be part of the challenge you need to achievement and I look forward to complete three of the races. I did my reporting on you with your marathon three races on Lewis, Harris and Skye. majors medal next edition. I would like to have completed the other two on Benbecula and Barra but Angela as I was on public transport they were just too awkward to get to. TWO MORE DATES FOR YOUR Nonetheless I really enjoyed the three DIARY! that I did. Lewis was run in 70 degrees, Skye in grey drizzle and Surrey CC League, Harris in a gale force wind and pelting 2 Dec and 10 Feb rain. All three are hilly but all three VAC men, both first and second put on cakes and sandwiches for claimers, are invited to run for VAC runners after. If you have the time at Roundshaw Downs and Lloyd Park. these are well worth doing. Ten men are needed for a scoring team. Every VAC runner is Further afield in Japan my first race, a appreciated. 5k in the town of Imabari where we are living, was cancelled due to a Vets AC Cross Country typhoon. I have a few more planned Championships 2018 however, not least the Ehime Please support our flagship medals marathon in February next year. I had event on Saturday 20 January on entered Tokyo, but like all the Wimbledon Common. Bring your marathon majors these days it is club mates who can run as guests. highly competitive and I did not get a place. I was however really pleased to

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Winter 2017 and Spring 2018 Fixtures Refer to the VAC website (www.vetsac.org.uk) for updates and additions.

Date Organiser Race/Event Venue Entry Closing Date Sat. BMAF/ England Kings Park Athletics 13:30. Closing 25 England Athletics Masters Cross Centre, Kings Park VAC date: 19 Nov Masters Association Country Inter Drive, Boscombe, men’s Nov 2017 Area Bournemouth BH7 and Challenge 6JD women’s 6km cross teams. country race. Individual Distance 4.5 entry via miles. BMAF. Sat. Men’s Surrey Cross Country Roundshaw Playing 3pm. VAC Enter on 2 Dec League Race Match 3 Fields, South 1st/2nd the day. 2017 Division 4 (VAC Men’s Beddington claim Advance team) CR0 4RW eligible. notice to VAC vest Paddy needed. Clark Sat. Hercules HW Inter- Wimbledon 11am Enter on 9 Dec Wimbledon and Club 5 mile Common Race HQ: the day 2017 East Surrey League XC Race. Lauriston Enquiry (VAC is a member of Also Match 2 Cottage. to the East Surrey of East Surrey Free Entries League) League event. Sec.

Sat. South of the SOTCCA Aldershot. Near the 2pm Closing 16 Thames Cross Champs. Wellington 1st Claim date for Dec Country Association 7.5 miles. Monument, GU11 VAC team VAC 2017 (VAC team – 1QA. names to team First Claim Entries 6 Dec only) Secretary

Sat. VAC VAC XC Wimbledon 2pm. Online 20 UKA Permit: Champs and Common SW19 Enter via entry by Jan Masters guests Masters 4UL. Awards and BMAF. 18 Jan. 2018 welcome. Entrants Open race refreshments at Entry on should be registered (approx. 7km) Belgrave Hall day with EA or equiv. Denmark Road. accepted

Date Organiser Race/Event Venue Entry Closing Date Sat. Men’s Surrey Cross Country Lloyd Park, Croydon 2pm. Enter on 10 League Race Match 4 VAC1st/2n the day. Feb Division 4 (VAC Men’s d claim Advance 2018 team) eligible. notice to VAC vest Paddy necessary Clark Sat. South Norwood 5km run South Norwood 9am Enter on 17 parkrun Featuring Country Park. the day Feb New parkrunners VAC “mob (but 2018 must register with match” need parkrun to obtain a gathering. your Barcode Barcode) Sun. SCVAC SCVAC Indoor Lee Valley Athletic VAC Closing 18 T&F Champs Centre, Meridian members date Feb Including VAC Way, Edmonton welcome 4 Feb. 2018 3k track walk London at all Champs N9 0NR. events. Enter via BMAF Sun. BMAF/VAC/EVAC/ VAC Indoor Lee Valley Athletic Enter via Closing 25 South of England Track & Field Centre, Meridian BMAF date Feb Athletic Association Champs. Also Way, Edmonton 11 Feb. 2018 BMAF Indoor London Pentathlon N9 0NR. Champs. Sun. EAMA Indoor Track Lee Valley Athletic Enquiries Initial 4 (England Athletics & Field Inter Centre, Meridian to Team team Mar. Masters Area Way, Edmonton Manager selection 2018 Association) Challenge London N9 0NR. Nick made in (VAC team to Lauder. Nov enter) 2017 Sat. VAC Cecil Gittins Cyclopark 1pm Closing 14 Enquiries Dave Memorial The Tollgate All ages date tbc. April Hoben Walks (inc. Wrotham Rd welcome. Entries 2018 Enfield Gravesend 2.5k, accepted League 10k Kent DA11 7NP 5k,10k,15 on the match) k (road) day.

For other regional/national/international masters events refer to the BMAF website.

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The Marathon

Ten VAC members travelled to the BMAF M60 Bronze as well as a Chester for the BMAF bronze medal for the M60 England Championships held on 8th October team which he had qualified to 2017. Susanna Harrison excelled to represent. Also selected for the win the BMAF W50 Gold medal, England teams were Richard ahead of Cathy Ulliott who won McDowell, Cathy Ulliott and Carol W50 Silver. Kevin Harris claimed Marsh.

VAC Members at the BMAF Marathon Championships. Chester 8th October Gun Chip First Cat. Age Pos Name Cat. time time Claim Pos Grade R. Herc. 32 2:42:27 2:42:24 M35 7 77.00% McDowell Wimb. AC N. Barberis Serpentine 78 2:52:14 2:52:10 M35 8 72.30% Negra RC Vict. Park 97 2:55:16 2:55:04 D. Finch M40 4 74.50% & TH 162 3:01:54 3:01:44 S. Rahman Ilford AC M35 10 68.00% Veterans 180 3:04:19 3:04:15 K. Harris M60 3 83.10% AC Guild & 250 3:09:45 3:09:41 S. Harrison W50 1 85.40% Godal Bright 385 3:18:40 3:18:34 C, Ulliott W50 2 80.60% &Hove AC Barnsley 486 3:25:28 3:24:56 G. Colville W50 4 77.10% AC Plumstead 891 3:45:35 3:45:26 C. Marsh W55 4 74.80% Runn. Jacqui Met. Police 1249 4:00:30 3:59:02 W50 7 65.20% Reid AC

Incredibly, prior to 2016 Carol Marsh had never entered any competitive races, nor had she been a member of any athletic club. Like so many people these days she was inspired to run by the parkrun and then was hooked. She joined Plumstead runners in October 2016 and VAC in April of this year. 7

This year Carol, who is pictured left, says she has completed 3 marathons (3hrs 43, 3hrs 45 and 3hrs 45) and four half marathons one of which was at the BMAF Champs at Northampton where she won the W55 gold. She also did the 20 mile race at Bramley and the challenging Grizzly Cross Country 20 mile race. She ran in the BMAF 30K Trail Championships within the North Downs Run on 25 June, once again winning W55 Gold

So all in all a very busy running year for Carol. When asked, she said that this year has proved to be one of the best years of her life and she feels she should have taken up running years ago. Looking at her achievements to date though, I don’t think she need worry as I am sure we are going to be seeing quite a bit of Carol in future and in terms of age, 55 is a mere baby in VAC terms.

Carol is joined by another member Jon Cross, who despite having been running a short time has managed some outstanding achievements. Jon took up running 7 years ago at the age of 53 just to try and keep reasonably fit, joining his local running club the Hart Road Runners. He is a VAC newbie, having only signed up this summer. The Great North Run was his first event since joining us and he finish first in the V60 category with a time of 1:22:30; a time that would have won the V55 category as well.

Despite this success at the GNR, Jon’s favourite event is the marathon - and he is a bit of a marathon tourist with a dozen under his belt so far, despite his young ‘running age’. He is currently aiming to complete the 6 World Marathon Majors - hopefully going under 3 hours for them all. Since 2015 he has managed to break 3 hours at Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London and New York with only Tokyo at the end of February needed to complete the set! I feel I have to tell you that when Jon first wrote to me he just mentioned the Great North Run and it was only when prompted that he gave me his excellent marathon times. He also told me that he has run the the Marathon des Sables in 2014; (A six day 250km race across the Sahara) but it needed me to look at his blog to realise that in the 1000 competitors, he came an incredible 66th overall and 4th in his category out of a total of 210. At one point he was even leading in the non elite field! So look out for Jon’s result in Tokyo and if you want to read his blog you can find it at https://sites.google.com/site/jonsaharaultramarathon/

Jacqui Reid, who was seventh in her age group in the Chester Marathon has also been busy, picking up a string of medals in the World Police and Fire Games Championships that were held in Los Angeles in August of this year. Jacqui (W50), who was competing for the Met Police and Ireland, won gold in the 800 (2.53.99) and the 2000m steeplechase (10.02.00). She also took Silver in the 1500m (5.50.43), 5000m (22.37.79) and the 10,000m (48.18.53). She also competed in field, cross country and road running where she picked up further medals. Well done Jacqui on completing a very hectic schedule. Jacqui is pictured with her national flag, supported by her old friend Angela Kikugawa, another VAC member who competed for the Prison Service (from which she has now retired) and GB. Angela won the 5000m and 10,000m in the W55 Category.

Following on from the Masters’ achievements this year, the MBNA Chester Marathon has agreed to host the BMAF Marathon Championships again on Sunday 7th October 2018. The race starts at Chester Racecourse before heading out into the Cheshire and North Wales countryside, running along the banks of the River Dee and finishing back at the racecourse. It costs £47 to enter for UKA affiliated athletes. This goes up to £52 after August 1st 2018. Last year there were around 2500 finishers.

Finally, going further afield in pursuit of marathon glory were VAC’s Paul Cheetham and Carol Marsh, who both competed in the European Masters Marathon Championships in Wroclaw, Poland on the 10th September 2017. Paul won the M45 Gold medal in a time of 2hrs 40:26 and Carol won the W55 Silver medal in 3hrs 45:35.

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200 Half Marathons! it again at the Surrey Martin Garrett, now in County Combined the M60 age group Events Champs at reached a 'landmark' Sutton on 9 of 200 half marathons September 2017 to at the recent Royal record 10.35.13. The Parks event in Hyde BMAF Champs also Park. His first HM saw Dalbir Singh was at Richmond Deol (pictured right) (Surrey) in June 1984 set an M90 UK 200m and for the last 33 record of 50:34. Attractive Offers years he has been Breaking records on from Surrey League plugging away. All of the track as well was sponsors, Start his races have been in Brian James who set a Fitness and More the UK or Channel new UK M70 one Mile Islands and Martin’s mile record of 5:35.46 favourite courses are on 21 July 2017 at the If you use Start Bournemouth, Jersey, SOAR mile meeting Fitness, the online Berkhamsted and at Millennium Arena, sports retailer, the Watford which he has Battersea Park. following discounts done that 24 times. In Out on the field, are available to all his next half marathon Clifford Taylor set a VAC members,. he will be wearing new UK M85 record Enter code SurreyXC number 201 and that in the for 30% off at will be Watford in (18.38m), again at the moremile.co.uk (you February. BMAF Champs and a will also accrue 10% UK M85 Throws of your spend on this VAC Record Pentathlon (HT, SP, code and be able to Breakers! DT, JT, WT) points claim products or VAC members have record of 2733 points More Mile gift been busy breaking at the BMAF vouchers). British records his Championships in Enter code summer in a range of Sheffield on 2 SurreyXCSF10 for disciplines and September. 10% off at distances. Congratulations to startfitness.co.uk Andy Tindall set a Andy, Dalbir, Brian new M55 UK record and Clifford on your in the 3,000m outstanding Steeplechase at the achievements. BMAF T&F Champs in June only to break Road Running VAC 10M Road Championships, Lee Valley VeloPark Races, 30 September

Six VAC members competed in Committee had VAC’s 10M championships at the decided to Olympic Park Velopark. The race repurpose the was held in the 10M section of disused Ron RunThrough’s running extravaganza (Chalky) White that included half marathon, 10M, shield. In the 10k, 5k and One Mile. It was an past this was unconventional race with nearly 500 awarded to the oldest man under 90 runners taking part in five separate minutes but it will now be awarded races at the same time, all using the to the athlete with the highest age compact undulating one mile cycle graded percentage in the 10 mile circuit. race. This means that Richard Solomons (M70) pictured) (with an There were 75 finishers in the 10M age-graded performance of 81.25%. race. First home for VAC, 4th is the first winner. overall and 1st woman in the race, was Victoria Carter (W45) in a time At the extravaganza, Terry Casey of 68:13. For the 10 mile (M75) ran in the One Mile race, championships, the VAC achieving a time of 10:38.

Name Age Age Time Race First Grade % Group Position Claim Club Richard 81.25% M70 73:10 7 Highgate Solomons Harriers Peter 78.70% M65 72:32 6 Lewes AC Kennedy Victoria 78.62% W45 68:13 4 Thames Carter Valley Peter 74.09% M65 76:17 9 Veterans Durrans AC Jacqui 72.25% W50 78:37 16 Met Police Reid Bill 55.33% M70 1:50:02 58 Queens Pk O'Connor Harriers Battersea Park Summer Race Series

Total numbers were up again for the five fixtures in the summer race series at Battersea Park. There were 175 finishers, averaging 35 in each race. This is nearly double that of two years ago but we would be happy to see more. Having a UKA licence has helped, as has the promotion offered by the BMAF’s OpenTrack system. The number of guests has quadrupled in two years and it’s pleasing that a fair number of them have gone on to join VAC. Thank you to everyone who competed and also to our loyal officials who ensured smooth and proficient operations throughout. Special credits go to Dennis Williams for setting up the courses and to Mick Barlow, the UKA Race Adjudicator, for his advice and assistance.

Four VAC members competed in all five of the races: Joe Aspinall, Cliff Collins (pictured), Richard Pitcairn- Knowles and Ed Bartlett. Ed’s amazing record has continued. He hasn’t missed a Battersea Park fixture for eight years! The Snow Cup competition added interest and 19 members completed the necessary three races to be eligible.

The person with the highest average of his or her three best age-graded performances would be awarded the Snow Cup, a beautiful trophy which dates back to 1950.

Congratulations go to Brian James (M70), the winner with a magnificent average of 87.91%. Penny Elliott (W70) placed second with 85.49%, closely followed by Ian Johnston (M45) with 84.26%. The top seven runners all achieved percentages of over 80%. Six age groups were represented in the top ten, demonstrating that age grading is a fair way of comparing and rewarding good-for-age performances. 12

Snow Cup League Table, Battersea Park Grand Prix 2017

Pos. VAC Member'sAge -Age Age Club Name grade Grp. gr* % 1 Brian James 87.91 M70 Watford Joggers 2 Penny Elliott 85.49 W70 Waverley Harriers 3 Ian Johnston 84.26 M45 VAC 4 Carol Jones 84.06 W60 Ealing Southall & Midd 5 Paul Cheetham 83.56 M45 Barnes Runners 6 Mike Mann 83.38 M65 Dulwich Runners 7 Marion Rayner 80.97 W65 West 4 Harriers 8 Cliff Collins 78.46 M80 VAC 9 Tony Macdowall 76.23 M35 Victoria Park & TH 10 Valdis Pauzers 76.05 M60 Herne Hill Harriers 11 Gerry Smith 75.68 M65 Epsom & Ewell 12 Caroline Helder 75.42 W55 Wimbledon Windmilers 13 Les Presland 75.24 M75 AFD 14 Richard Pitcairn- 74.81 M80 Sevenoaks AC Knowles 15 Jamie 74.01 M40 VAC McLoughlin 16 Tom Morris 71.06 M55 Hercules Wimbledon 17 Ed Skinner 70.36 M60 Tiptree 18 Joe Aspinall 69.33 M75 VAC 19 Ed Bartlett 54.19 M70 VAC * Age grading based on actual age, using World Masters Athletics Road age-grading calculator 2015 and based on the average of the best three races

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5 Mile Championship, Battersea Park, 13 June

It was warm and muggy for the 42 finishers who took part in the five mile championship. Ian Johnston won the race and the M45 Gold medal in a time of 27:35. He was tracked by Paul Cheetham but pulled away convincingly on the final lap to win by 25 seconds. There were also some fierce age group battles for Gold. For the M50s, Stephen Philcox (29:06) was just ahead of Tony Tuohy (29:15), and in the M70s, Peter Giles (32:47) was chased by new member, Brian James (33:14). For the M75s, Doug Milsom and Les Presland were inseparable for much of the race until Les dug Ange Norris was the first woman deep for a time of 43:13, with a in a time of 33:20, a new W55 winning margin of 20 seconds. Battersea Park course record, improving Anna Garnier’s 2012 record by eleven seconds. Another great mark was set by Pam Jones who set an inaugural W80 course record of 51:29. This complements her excellent W75 course record of 43:03 set in June 2012

Ange Norris, pictured above also broke the 5k W55 record. .

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5km Championship, Battersea Park 11 July It poured throughout the race and the 43 finishers were soaked, although this didn’t prevent fast times. The Officials deserved medals too. Three course records were broken, in addition to several near misses. The race winner was Simon Baines, also the M45 Gold medallist, whose time of 16:20 was only three seconds off the 16:17 all- time best for the Battersea course, set by M45 Richard Tomlinson in 2014. The first record-breaker was Alan Camp (pictured) whose 17:56 M60 time knocked over 30 seconds off Peter Giles’s longstanding M60 course record set in 2006. Alan’s time also beat Laurie O’Hara’s M60 VAC 5km Championship Best Performance of 18:14 set in 1995 at the Eastway Cycle Circuit. Peter Giles’s name stayed on the record book as he convincingly improved his own M70 course record from 20:07 to 19:25. He had intense competition from fellow M70, Brian James, who pushed hard to finish only eight seconds behind on the line.

For the women, Anna Critchlow led the way for W45 Gold in 19:26, 22 seconds off her own W45 course record of 19:04 set last year. The third record breaker was second woman, Ange Norris, whose time of 20:06 knocked ten seconds off Anna Garnier’s W55 course record set in 2010. Marie Synnott-Wells was third, and first W50. Other Gold medallists were Jane Rowden (W60), Penny Elliott (W70) and Marion Rayner (W65) whose time of 25:39 was only 20 seconds short of Sue Lambert’s longstanding W65 course record of 25:19 set in 2010. 15

There is insufficient space to reproduce all of the results from Battersea Park in the newsletter but there is a full set on the VAC website. The latest 5km record table is below for those of you who may wish to have a go!

VAC 5km Champs: Updated Battersea Park Course Records and Eastway Bests Men Women Age Name Time Date Name Time Date Gp M35 Mohammed 16:35 Jul-16 Ismail M40 Steve Surridge 16:19 Jul-03 J Estall 15:29 1997 M45 Richard 16:17 Jul-14 Tomlinson M50 Mike Boyle 16:34 Aug-12 B O'Neill 16:16 1997 M55 Dave Cox 16:59 Aug-08 M60 Alan Camp 17:56 Jul-17 (L O'Hara 18:14 1995) M65 John Batchelor 18:51 Aug-08 M70 Peter Giles 19:25 Jul-17 M75 Steve Charlton 20:56 Jul-04 M80 Steve Charlton 23:54 Jul-09 M85 Steve Charlton 24:57 Aug-12 WOMEN W35 Bernie Pritchett 18:15 Jul-06 A Fletcher 17:51 1997 W40 Anna Critchlow 18:09 Aug-08 W45 Anna Critchlow 19:04 Jul-16 W50 Lynn Wilson 19:58 Aug-07 P Rich 19:57 1995 W55 Ange Norris 20:06 Jul-17 W60 Margaret Moody 21:09 Jul-09 W65 Sue Lambert 25:19 Aug-10 W70 Pam Jones 24:56 Aug-08 W75 Pam Jones 27:10 Aug-12 W80 Pam Jones 31:17 Jul-16

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Obituaries

Noel Noble 1923 -2017 VAC was very sad to learn of the death of International Opera Singer and long-time Polytechnic Harriers and Veterans AC middle distance competitor, Noel Noble, at the end of June after a fine innings of over 94 years.

As an athlete in the UK in the 1970s/1980s, he was very supportive of both Poly and VAC and although his running career in the UK never reached great heights, he would invariably be present to complete his club teams, not least at cross country events. He contributed to VAC on and off the arena, and was their Team Manager/Organiser when we set a World Best for the then-popular 100 x 1 Mile Relay at Crystal Palace, causing some overseas veterans clubs to challenge our achievement.

VAC has the Noel Noble trophy in his honour, awarded for M50 Gold at 1500m/1 mile.

Brian Harlick 1942-2016 Brian Harlick who is pictured left, sadly died shortly before Christmas 2016. He was an active member of both Epsom and Ewell Harriers and VAC. He competed regularly in the , and all the throwing events, most recently as a V70. He competed in the Pole Vault in the main Surrey Championships from 1994 - 2010 having previously competed in the Surrey Cross-Country Championships from 1983 - 1986. He was also a very active official, and when not competing, helped at VAC track and field championships. At the Surrey County Athletics Association AGM, a posthumous award was given. The Officials Cup was collected by his children, Marianne and Michael.

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Cross Country Men’s Surrey League Cross Country, Wimbledon Common, 14 October VAC fielded 13 men for the opening Division 3/4 match of the Surrey League, in a record field of 332 finishers. VAC co- hosted the fixture and contributed as timers, recorders, marshals and results compiler. VAC was one of twenty one teams battling it out over a long “5 mile” course of familiar trails and tracks.

First home for VAC, and also a magnificent first in the Division Four race was new recruit Gary Towers in a time of 27:43. Gary Ironmonger was next in 7th place, followed by Richard Batchelor in 16th and Dan Hallam, (pictured above top) another new recruit, in 18th. VAC’s scorers were closely packed and in a great display of team spirit, were supported all the way by the other squad members. Paddy Clark as usual did a great job as VAC Team Manager.

VAC finished in a creditable 7th position out of the 12 teams but still plenty of scope to improve our placing in the remaining three matches. Full results and team placings can be found on the Surrey League website. Photo above bottom shows Andrew Simms, who finished as fifth scorer. VAC table is below. 1 27:43 Gary Towers M40 7 29:25 Gary Ironmonger M55 16 30:46 Richard Batchelor M40 18 30:55 Dan Hallam M40 61 35:00 Andrew Simms M50 89 38:16 Carey Gray M55 97 39:03 Andy Murray M60 104 40:24 Ed Skinner M60 105 40:27 Liam O'Hare M65 106 40:39 Gary Budinger M55 115 42:33 William Fordham M65 123 44:41 Steve Edwards M60 131 50:48 Walter Wessely M70

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Track and Field

VAC 10,000m Track the BMAF 10,000m was the first VAC Championships, championships in woman, claiming Battersea Park, 13 Jarrow where he won W35 Gold in her first September M45 Gold in a time of 10,000 track race. 34:10.49. The other Pauline Rich It was cool and calm Gold medal winners (pictured) and Ann for the two 10000m in the Battersea race Bath were the W70 seeded races at were Tony Macdowall and W65 gold Battersea Park’s (M35), Dan Madams medallists. Peter Millennium Arena. (M40) and Philip Durrans bBelow), Eleven men contested Carstairs (M55). returning to running, the first race which won the M65 Gold, Simon Baines (M45) with Doug Milsom (pictures on this taking the M75 Gold edition’s cover) won and Ed Bartlett the emphatically in M70 Gold. 33:02.5; a time that improves the previous M45 Championship Best of 33:25.9 set by Charlie Dickinson in 1995. Simon was awarded the McDowell Cup for winning the race. The cup has passed There were twelve between Ben finishers in the second Reynolds and Ian race. The winner was Special thanks go to Johnston since 2012 Sean Smith (M50), a the full complement but this year Ben was guest from Farnham of officials who timed the second VAC Runners. The first and counted every lap finisher in 34:15.2, woman home was for each athlete. Full taking the M50 Gold Yuko Gordon (W65), results and officials along with the second also a guest, from roll-call can be found place. Ian was North Herts Runners. on the VAC website. elsewhere, contesting Rhiannon Needham 19

Track and Field finished up with to limit the number of Pole Vault Coaching advice on strength both warm up and for Masters training that could competition throws. help cope with the Some athletes VAC and SCVAC stresses involved. complained about this, asked Allan Williams, Allan made videos of but many more were the respected Pole our efforts to send to complimentary of our Vault Coach, to run a us after the session.” organisation. Many session for Masters We are hoping to VAC members helped athletes at the the repeat the session next with individual David Weir Leisure year and to set up events, but we need Centre in Carshalton. more coaching more qualified Eight people attended opportunities for other officials in order to the 3.5 hour session T&F disciplines. If meet health and safety on 30 September and you are interested in guidelines for future here is what VAC participating or could events. Full results are member Mike May offer coaching, please available on Power of has to say about it. contact Mike May at 10. ‘Eight [attendees] [email protected]. turned out to be ideal. Inter area, 2nd July, There were not too Track And Field Solihull many for the space Championships available and not so Kingsmeadow 27 July saw a depleted few that each athlete August Vets AC team travel could not rest enough to Solihull for this between trials. Allan For the second year year’s Outdoor Inter enlisted two other VAC combined their Area match. The team coaches to help us. track and field was managed by Nick We started with how championships with Lauder and special to hold the pole, and SCVAC and also thanks must go to form, during run up, welcomed members Michael May whose then vaulted onto the from other masters’ superb assistance was mat from a platform clubs. This had invaluable. placed in front of the advantages and box. We learnt about disadvantages. The Alwyn Lombaard got measuring our run-ups athletes welcomed the team off to an and then practised more competition but excellent start putting it all together as there is only one achieving third in the with actual vaults. We throwing cage we had 60m Hurdles, further 20 adding to the team runs from Andrew and Peter Wishart points totals with fine Stewart, Paul (Shot, Javelin & and Triple Cheetham, Steve Discus.) Jump performances. Roberts and Mike Other fine Jumps Mann. The 2K Walk The finale of the performances were saw Fiona Bishop match, the 4x100m achieved by David finish second with relays, threw up some Blunt (Pole Vault & fine performances thrilling battles and ), Franck from John Ralph and saw our 35 team make Triolaire (Long Arthur Thomson. top three and the Jump), Mike May Whilst Allan Long M50’s break 60 (), and was the team’s sole seconds to come fifth. Patrick Reynolds sprint victor, there The final points tally (Long Jump) were also super-fast saw the Men come performances from fourth with 184 Our distance runners Brenda Fee, Dan points, the Women have always Tomlinson, David sixth with 73 points. performed strongly. Hinds, Nick Lauder, The team overall This year was no Patrick Reynolds, Ros came a sixth with 257 different with an Tabor and Steve points but most excellent win in the Roberts. importantly a fine 1500m by Aaron time was had by all Brown with Lisa The Throws saw a win who represented Vets Webb coming second and a second place in AC. in the 800m and the Hammer by Wes 1500m. Third places Clarke and Tracey The Indoor match is were gained by Gould respectively taking place on Richard Bloom and (also Discus and Sunday 4th March at Ros Tabor in the Javelin), second from Lee Valley, please let 800m, and by Ed Tony Richards in the Nick Lauder know by Connolly, Jacqui Reid Shot, a good email and Sam Amend in performances by (n.lauder@btopenworl the 1500m. These Franck Triolaire d.com) if you’d like to successes were (Javelin), Kim Weir take part. supported by good (Hammer and Discus)

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!! We are always pleased to include members’ photos of events, so if you have any please send them to us along with your story. 21

European Masters Championships, Aarhus, Denmark, July/Aug 2017 These outdoor track and field (plus cross country, road walk and half marathon) masters championships are held every other year, the previous being in Ismir, Turkey in 2015, with the Worlds in intervening years (Perth in 2016).

Aarhus is a pleasant city on the eastern coast of Jutland, central Denmark. It has a good mix of old and new areas, with a big port and pleasant coastline. It is a European City of Culture this year, displaying many outdoor exhibits. The city has a big student population, hence many bars, and there was a decent choice of mid- price restaurants.

Unusually for this type of event we had no local transport passes, so bus fares to and from the venues added to the cost of the trip to an already expensive area. This was a bad summer for Denmark, with many heavy showers and temperatures reaching the low twenties at best.

As well as individual golds there were many other strong VAC performances including a Bronze Medal for William Fordham (pictured above in a cross country event) in the half marathon M65 event. Individual Gold Medal winners are shown below.

Age Category Name Event W35 - Zoe Doyle 1500 W45 - Nina Anderson 400 W60 - Anna Garnier 1500, 5000 W60 Sue Yeomans pole vault W65 - Ros Tabor cross country M55 – Pat Logan 200 M75 – Barry Ferguson 80 hurdles M90 - Dalbir Singh Deol 100, 200, 400 22

VAC Success at Multi Events

VAC has a contingent of combined found in a T&F match (including event specialists who often are un- both 3000m and 5000m), plus the sung heroes and maybe do not get 200m hurdles and the 10,000m. the recognition they deserve. We are VAC’s Chris Ness performed proud to report their successes. magnificently to win the M45 Gold medal with 8,892 points. Well done At the BMAF Outdoor Pentathlon Chris and all of VAC’s multi- Championships in Oxford on 18 eventers! June, three VAC members took home Gold Medals. Charmaine Walking – Lester Cup 2016 Johnson won W50 Gold with 2902 Season points for the women’s five disciplines - 80m hurdles, HJ, SP, Fiona Bisho p was awarded the LJ and 800m. For the men’s event, Lester Cup, comprising LJ, JT, 200m, DT and a points based trophy, 1500m, Brian Slaughter won M55 based on a handicap system, Gold with 2973 points, followed by for last year’s summer series of races Alan Smith taking M55 Silver with in Battersea Park. (See below) 2891 points. Brian Matthews won 1. Fiona Bishop (4) 88 M60 Gold with 2658 points. 2. Arthur Thomson (5) 87 At the BMAF 3. Shaun Lightman (4) 78 Championships in Sheffield on 2/3 4. David Hoben (5) 76 September, Brian Slaughter, now in 5. Maureen Noel (3) 62 a new age group, repeated his pentathlon success by convincingly 6. Peter Hannell (3) 54 claiming the M60 Gold medal with 7. Peter Ryan (3) 53 7075 points, a tally which would 8. Mick Harran (2) 30 also have won the M55 age group. 9. Dave Delaney (2) 28 Alan Smith won the silver medal in 10. Dan Maskell (1) 22 the M55 age group. 11. Kevin Burnett (1) 21 And finally, news from the world of 12. Paul King (1) 18 Ultra Multi Events. This year’s 13. Russell Vroobel (1) 17 World Championship Icosathlon 14. Chris Flint (1) 15 took place in Turnhout in 15. Ian Richards (1) on 26 and 27 August. An icosathlon 12 is made up of the 18 events usually (Brackets are no. of appearances)

Walking

Battersea Park 5 Mile Summer Race Walks VAC staged a successful series of race walks with some fine performances. All the races in Battersea Park were Category B with Permits from the RWA. The summer’s second fixture in May (photo below) took place in perfect racing conditions on a sunny spring evening. Penelope Cummings from AFD had an outright win in a time very close to her personal best, while Melanie Peddle of Loughton, third overall, went under 50 minutes for the first time with a new personal best, showing what can be achieved in only a year in the sport. Maureen Noel (Belgrave) in sixth place maintained her excellent form.

Further down the field Paul King from Belgrave and Chris Flint from SWC gradually returned to their previous form and Peter Hannell also SWC returned to this distance after a number of months’ absence and achieved a better than expected time.

The third fixture in June was also the VAC championships. It benefitted from fine conditions, even if a little humid. The turnout was low due to a clash with another popular series and a number of regulars on the injury list. VAC were pleased to welcome Dave Annetts from North Herts Road Runners who won convincingly in a time similar to that achieved in a recent large 5M event near Newmarket where he came second only to U23 20k GB record holder Callum Wilkinson. We wish Dave well in his move into race walking. Notable performances were posted by W55 Fiona Bishop, (pictured on the front cover inset) who was a minute 24 quicker than last year’s championships, and by M70 Dave Delaney who was five minutes quicker.

The fourth fixture in July was the wettest in recent memory. The officials did well to handle the finish recordings in such dreadful weather. Mark Culshaw (pictured above) had an easy victory followed by Steve Bishop and John Hall, in a good position and time considering a lengthy absence from regular competitions. The last fixture in August saw cloudy, humid conditions, with rain just about to appear towards the end. Dave Annetts, who continues to make considerable inroads in the sport, had another convincing victory. John Hall improved again and was pleased to return to sub 10 minute miles. David Hoben set his best time of the series and was the season’s only ever-present.

Battersea Park Race Walking League Table, 2017. (Excluding Guests) Name Age Apr 5m May Jun 5m Jul 5m Aug Gp 5m 5m David Annetts M50 46:40 43.16 Mark Culshaw M50 48:29 48:02 47:53 Penelope W40 48:01 Cummings John Hall M65 51:16 49.38 Shaun M70 51:16 Lightman Dan Maskell M65 53:10 51:55 55.11 Maureen Noel W50 51:58 52:12 52:31 52.25 Fiona Bishop W55 53:01 Chris Flint M70 54:06 54:54 56:55 Paul King M65 57:18 54:06 Peter Hannell M70 57:40 55:38 56.39 Arthur M80 56:23 Thomson Mick Harran M75 56:39 58:36 Dave Delaney M70 61:53 56:44 David Hoben M60 58:33 59:09 59:06 59:39 58.27

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Jack Fitzgerald Memorial race walks, 10 June 2017, Tilgate Park, Crawley VAC were pleased to host the fifth running of this event on a course around Campbell's lake, used in the 1930s and 1940s as the test bed for Sir Malcolm Campbell’s attempts at the world water speed record in his vessel, Bluebird.

The popular beauty spot enjoyed good early summer weather with lower temperatures in the surrounding pinewood sections of the course. In the headline race over 10.325 km, VAC were pleased to welcome back Francisco Reis from Thames Valley Harriers who had a convincing win by over two minutes from Under 20 athlete, Ollie Hopkins from Lewes AC, who continued his upwards trajectory, keeping pace with the winner in his longest race to date. Also improving, Melanie Peddle from Loughton AC came in a strong third place, just a little outside one hour. Jack Fitzgerald Memorial Race Walk 10.325km, 10 June 2017 Race Time Name Age First Claim Club Pos. 1 54:59 F Reis M55 Thames Valley 2 57:03 O Hopkins U20M Lewes AC 3 63:46 M Peddle W45 Loughton 4 69:15 P Gaston M65 Surrey Walking Club 5 70:10 J White M45 Unattached 6 70:25 C Flint M70 Surrey Walking Club 7 71:03 M Martin M60 Surrey Walking Club 8 71:03 A Martin W50 Surrey Walking Club 9 71:52 B Kirkdale M55 Hastings Runners 10 72:04 A Jones W60 Steyning 11 72:39 J Killick M70 Steyning 12 72:47 S Pender M60 Enfield 13 75:59 D Hoben M60 Surrey Walking Club 13 75:59 D Delaney M70 Surrey Walking Club

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Parkrunning

VAC’s latest quarterly Parkrun visit was at Highbury Fields on 16th September 2017; a small, sloping open space overlooked by Georgian terraces. As it is less than 1k around its tarmac-path boundary, 5 laps are necessary to make up the distance and the hill at the start that feels quite gentle gets pretty draining by the final lap. Nonetheless 5 VAC members met to tackle the course.

Gary Towers had a good battle with the leader from halfway but had to settle for a close second overall. VAC runners scored lots of age group wins and Ros Tabor set course age grade and W65 records. Remarkably her age grading was 94.1%.

Pos. Name Club Cat. Cat. Time Pos 2 Gary Towers Eton Manor 1 M40 16:56 39 Martin Bright Highgate Harriers 1 M50 20:45 74/9w Ros Tabor Dulwich Runners 1 W65 22:54 92 Andy Murray Dulwich Runners 1 M60 23:27 192 Martin Garrett Sudbury Ct RC 3 M60 28:07

Many of you who do parkrun will have heard Race Directors ask at the pre-run briefing if there are any parkrun tourists. These are the runners who make a special trip out of their home area to run a different parkrun – you can even get a special orange teeshirt to show what you are doing and there is a league table of all those who have run in more than 20 different areas. VAC’s Peter Hall (V55) over a period of six years has competed in 50 different parkruns within his total of 204. He runs most regularly at Gunnersbury and his furthest away from home was at Whitley Bay, which is where he originally comes from. His PB is 19.26.

We’d be interested to hear from any other VAC members who are parkrun tourists or who have big personal records in the parkrun. 27

Above: Mark Culshaw and Penelope Cummings stride out in the Battersea Park Race Walk in May 2017. Left Dalbir Singh Deol competes at the European Masters in Denmark.

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